November 12, 2010

Thanksgiving #7

Today I am thankful for sports. I know this may sound weird... but I am. It's something in my life that does not really change. Yes, the team's roster may change every year, but the team doesn't change. Like the Indianapolis Colts have been the Indianapolis Colts since 1984. And as far as I know, will not move again. I've been a fan since 2006, and they have not really changed. The day Peyton Manning retires will be a sad day indeed (I'm sure I will cry), but when that day comes... they will still be my Colts.
Same with the LA Lakers, they have been my team since 2001, and Miami Heat, have been my other team since 2002. (I do have 2 NBA teams....)
But for me, sports aren't just an enjoyment to watch, it's therapeutic. I can go shoot basketball or mess around with a soccer ball, and it's very soothing. Not sure why... but it is. I know I'm weird, but while I'm shooting the basketball, I use that time to pray. I guess because I was commited to basketball for 5 years strait, season or off season, holding and shooting a basketball is something familiar to me. Whether I'm in Richmond, VA or Pensacola, FL... it still feels the same.
Even tho my life is changing, the games never change.

November 11, 2010

Hawaiian Chicken

Thursday nights are now my dinner nights, and I want to try new things. Then I had the idea to blog about the new meals I make. Something to look forward to every week.
Tonight was my first night in my adventure of making new things. I made Hawaiian Chicken, along with rice, sauteed green beans, and fresh french bread.
The sauce is a combo of;
- 3/4 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
- 1/3 cup ketchup (yes, I made something with ketchup)
-  1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 2 Tbs cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tsp Soy Sauce
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
When that is brought to a boil, you pour it over the chicken (3 whole check breast, cut in half, skinned) and cook it for a total of an hour and a half. The recipe didn't call for this, but I put pineapple rings on top of the chicken. (And I did double it for 5 adults and 2 kids.)
This was a major hit in our family... even the littles liked it. Score!




Thanksgiving #6

I am thankful for friends. At times I sometimes feel alone, and I'm not sure if it's cuz I'm here in Florida or what. But since I've been going thru something hard, my friends have all be very caring. Some calling me, checking on me to see how I'm doing, and saying they are praying for me. I've had some friends tell me "I'm praying for you. Is everything ok?" or "You've been on my heart lately. Are you doing ok?" That means so much! And it just shows that God is with me... caring for me.
My friends have also been encouraging as I'm going thru this time. Telling me God's got a plan for all this. It's hard to hear... but I know it's the truth... and it really means a lot.
And I have friends that keep telling me, "I'm here girl. Call me when you need to talk."
Thank you friends for caring for me. And all your prayers. I know God has a plan.... Can't wait to see all my friends in VA, on Monday.

♫Out of the Depths♫

I wish I could listen to this without hurting....

November 10, 2010

Thanksgiving #5

I am thankful for my sister and brother, and even tho at times I do get annoyed with them (and one more than the other most of the time)... I still love them.
As I'm going thru this new season of life, my sister has been very encouraging. She, like my parents, has been reminding me God has a plan and he is still good. Sunday and Monday night she even slept with me just so I wouldn't be alone. We laughed about random stuff.... such as my "grandpa" cat.
But all my life, she has been the life of the party. And even tho she has her very crazy moments, it's still fun. She can really make you laugh, and will even laugh about herself with you. I am so greatful God gave her to me. I wouldn't want any other sister.
Now, as for my brother. He can be very weird at times.... Let me change that... he is very weird all the time. He has these jokes that come out of nowhere, and make no since, but the great thing about Josh is that, as you are laughing at him, he too will laugh at himself. I'm not sure if he is laughing because he realizes what he said, or if he is laughing because you are laughing. Either way, it's great.
One thing I love about my siblings, is that even tho we get annoyed with each other, we still enjoy each other's company, and enjoy spending time together playing games, the 360, or just talking and laughing.
I'm so blessed to have them in my life, and apart of my family. Love you Kelsey and Josh!

November 09, 2010

Thanksgiving #4

I am thankful for the trials God brings into my life. At the moment, I am going thru another hard trial. They aren't fun. It seems like I have gone thru more trials than anyone else my age, but I'm sure that isn't true.
God uses trials to bring us closer to him, and all we need to do is trust him. But the only way we can trust him, is if he shows us we need him.
And this is harder said than done, I know, but speaking truth to yourself will help. One way I find to help with speaking truth to myself is writing in my journal or blogging.
The trial I am going thru at the moment, I can't see what God has for my life. I feel like my life is over, to tell the truth. But that's where trusting him comes in. If I knew what he had in store for my life, how could I worship him, how could I trust him?
He himself speaks to us in many ways. My sister on Saturday night texted me, blessed be his name, and once again I broke down. Sunday worship, the second song they did was Blessed Be His Name, and I broke down in church. I knew he was with me, and he will never leave. He gives, and he takes away, but I want to chose to say, "blessed be his name".
2 other songs I've been listening too aswell, Everyday by Sovereign Grace Music, along with Your Hands by JJ Heller.

Here are the lyrics to Your Hands
♫I have unanswered prayers
I have trouble I wish wasn't there
And I have asked a thousand ways
That You would take my pain away
That You would take my pain away

I am trying to understand
How to walk this weary land
Make straight the paths that crooked lie
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine
Oh Lord, before these feet of mine

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

When You walked upon the Earth
You healed the broken, lost, and hurt
I know You hate to see me cry
One day You will set all things right
Yea, one day You will set all things right

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Your hands
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still
Your hands that shape the world
Are holding me, they hold me still

When my world is shaking
Heaven stands
When my heart is breaking
I never leave Your hands

Prayers right now will be great! One thing you can pray for is that I will stop crying. But also that I will keep my eyes focased on him above, that he will give me peace thru this hard time, along with my trip up to VA. The people I love encouraged me to get away from life, and take a trip up to VA to be with friends and family. I leave Monday and return the following Monday. Pray that the trip will be smooth.
God is good all the time! ~Jeremiah 29:11~

November 08, 2010

Thanksgiving #3

I am thankful for my partents. Well, they did bring me into this world, but they also have tought me to have a relationship with my heavenly father. At times I didn't want to listen, and I know I gave them a very hard time most of the time. But I'm so thankful that they kept pursuing, and kept speaking truth to me.
And thru the past years, they have stood by me as I walked thru many hard things, and they continue to do so. Even tho I wouldn't share things with them, they always were there to pray for me, always there to speak truth to me, and always there to just give me a hug when I needed one.
Thank you dad and mom for always being there for me! I love you both very much.

November 04, 2010

Thanksgiving #2

I am thankful for my heavenly father. He has done so much for me. Everyday is filled with his amazing grace. The fact that I'm breathing right now... that is his grace. He also sent his only son to die on the cross in my place... something I don't deserve. And he has forgiven all my sins.
He has cared for me over the years... and at times I might not have liked it... but looking back now, and I am very greatful! Because he did it all for my good. It's all apart of his big plan for my life.
He is letting me live as I don't deserve. Praise God!

November 03, 2010

Thanksgiving for All of November

Some of you might have seen the invite on Facebook about putting something you are thankful for on your Facebook status everyday for the month of November. I thought that was a really cool idea, but thought to do it on my blog instead, and go into a little more detail about why I am thankful for that thing rather than just saying why I am thankful for it.

#1
I am first thankful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I cannot thank him enough for what he did in my place on the cross. He has taken the wrath deserved for me, where now I am forgiven of all my sins. What an amazing gift!

October 07, 2010

Epic Weekend

This past weekend (10/01-03/2010), my family, Mark and Sean all went to Jacksonville to see my Colts play the Jaguars.
Friday, we arrived at my aunt Kelly's at 2a.m.. I was to excited, that I was not able to sleep much. So Saturday had an early start.... It was a pretty chill day. Mark and I watched the Auburn game in the movie theater room. They won! 52-3. =D Jacob took Josh, Mark and I on a ride on the golf cart on the golf couse. There was also lots of pool playing. Later that night we watched the Florida vs. Alabama game. Poor Florida. 6-31. =( Sunday, was another early start... thanks to my excitment. haha But it never hit me that I was going to see my team till we saw the stadium. When we got to our seat (at the very, very top) it was amazing! Even tho we were at the very top, we really did have agreat seats at the 50 yard line.
When my team, in their white and blue uniforms ran out, yes... I started to cry. haha I was so overwelmed with joy! This site was something I never, ever thought I would ever see. It was amazing! haha One of the best moments of my life. haha Mom brought dad's hunting binoculars for us to see closer... and it was so cool! I was able to see their faces! It was such a close game... and the last few seconds of the 4th, Jacksonville kicked a 59 yard field goal. The ending score; Jacksonville 28-31. =( I was very bummed, but I was still very happy I saw my team!
It was an amazing weekend! Not only did I see my team, but I also got to spend time with my boyfriend! =)